RIP: Andy Hughes, producer for The Orb, Basement Jaxx, and Kovak

I’m so bummed today… Just got the news that Andy has passed away. : (
This is a first for me, I’ve never felt the loss of a musician who was in a band I loved before. Still can’t believe it. Just feel totally gutted!. . .

RIP Andy you are a part of something I admire, and you will always be remembered.

Playing Orblivion tonight…

According to a press release:

Andy Hughes, electronic music producer/DJ who was born 11th November 1965 and, and who lived and grew up in Harrow, Middlesex, tragically passed away on Friday 12th June 2009 after a short illness.

Andy was a genius who gave so much inspiration and passion to all with his incredible work. He was loved by many aficionados of the trance/ambient genre, but will be especially remembered for his work with Alex Paterson and The Orb, most notably the album Orblivion and single Toxygene, which reached number 4 in the UK charts in 1997.

Together with his musical partners Alex Patterson and former members Kris Weston, Simon Phillips and Thomas Fehlmann together with Nick Burton of Westworld fame. Andy created electronic and ambient/techno/house/dub masterpieces. These took him across the globe where he played to masses of fans in countries including the USA, Japan and Canada as well as a sell out concert at the Royal Albert Hall in 1998.

Andy Hughes Wikipedia entry
Andy Hughes MySpace